Homeless dogs embark from Kauai to Oakland

Animal rescue Dogs embark from jammed Kauai shelter to East Bay SPCA

Updated 9:26 pm, Monday, February 4, 2013

Sukey is excited to see Asia Altier and James Pumphrey at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif.

Sukey is excited to see Asia Altier and James Pumphrey at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

Image 2 of 10

James Pumphrey escorts Pauly back to his kennel after exercising at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Pauly is a recent arrival from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed to take in some of the canines from the Kauai Humane Society.

James Pumphrey escorts Pauly back to his kennel after exercising at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Pauly is a recent arrival from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed

Laura Fulder exchanges friendly greetings with Copper, a hound mix from the Kauai shelter, at the East Bay SPCA.

Laura Fulder exchanges friendly greetings with Copper, a hound mix from the Kauai shelter, at the East Bay SPCA.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Pauly and Sukey play in the exercise yard at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. The two dogs are recent arrivals from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed to take in some of the canines from the Kauai Humane Society.

Pauly and Sukey play in the exercise yard at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. The two dogs are recent arrivals from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed to take in some

Doggie treats are available for Hawaiian dogs at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. The local animal shelter agreed to take in some of the canines from the Kauai Humane Society.

Doggie treats are available for Hawaiian dogs at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. The local animal shelter agreed to take in some of the canines from the Kauai Humane Society.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Sukey races around with a chew toy at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Sukey is among several recent arrivals from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed to take in some of the canines from the Kauai Humane Society.

Sukey races around with a chew toy at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Sukey is among several recent arrivals from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed to take in some

Pauly takes a break after vigorous exercise at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Pauly is a recent arrival from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed to take in some of the canines from the Kauai Humane Society.

Pauly takes a break after vigorous exercise at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Pauly is a recent arrival from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed to take in some of

Pauly (front) and Sukey take a brief break from their exercise period at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. The two dogs are recent arrivals from Hawaii, after the local animal shelter agreed to take in some of the canines from the Kauai Humane Society.

Pauly (front) and Sukey take a brief break from their exercise period at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. The two dogs are recent arrivals from Hawaii, after the local animal

Visitors to Hawaii can now bring back a lei, a tan ... and an Airedale.

The Kauai Humane Society is awash with Airedales and other hunting dogs that need new homes, and is seeking vacationing Bay Area residents to bring back a pooch or two on their next trip.

Through a deal with Alaska Airlines and the East Bay SPCA, the dogs can accompany a returning tourist and go straight to the SPCA for adoption.

So far, it's been a howling success. Of the 12 dogs that have relocated from the island since December, when the program started, nine have been adopted.

The main reason for their popularity: They're not pit bulls or Chihuahuas, SPCA staff said.

"We have a bazillion brown Chihuahuas. This gives us a little variety," said Allison Lindquist, East Bay SPCA director. "They're something different. They're a hoot."

Most of the dogs crowding the Kauai shelter are bred for hunting wild pigs, which have proliferated in Hawaii. But once the dogs' hunting days are over, they tend to end up as strays, said Brandy Varvel, operations manager at the Kauai shelter.

The dogs are mostly Airedale, whippet and hound mixes, relatively rare breeds on this side of the Pacific.

Pauley is a good example. The spunky 5-month-old has gravity-defying ears, a spotted black nose and a happy-go-lucky, mellow disposition not often seen among the pit bull and Chihuahua populations.

Pauley and his island compadres, Sukey and Copper, were bounding on the grass recently at the SPCA in Oakland, ready to play with anyone who stopped by.

"We are extremely grateful to the SPCA and volunteers who help with this," said Varvel. "Every transfer saves a life."

The program came about when Varvel moved from Santa Cruz to take the Kauai job about six months ago. She was astonished at the number of dogs at the shelter: more than 90 on an island with only 60,000 people.

By comparison, Oakland, with 400,000 people, has only 60 or so dogs at the city shelter.

"Dogs are different here," Varvel said, noting that it's not uncommon for one person to surrender 15 dogs. "My first week on the job, I couldn't believe it."

Varvel's shelter is the only such facility on the island, and Hawaii's other shelters are equally packed.

So, in an effort to keep healthy, adoptable dogs from being euthanized, she stayed up late nights e-mailing mainland shelters pleading for help.

The East Bay SPCA and a shelter in Portland, Ore., responded, and the Airedale airlift began.

Alaska Airlines, which flies nonstop from Kauai to Oakland, agreed to transport the dogs for $100 if they're accompanied by a human. The Kauai shelter pays the $100 and provides the dog crate, as well as the necessary medical papers.

Volunteers on both ends handle the logistics. After a day or two to acclimate to the mainland, the dogs are ready for adoption.

The SPCA has its own crowding issues but not nearly as severe as those in Kauai, Lindquist said.

Overall, the island pups are a welcome addition to the shelter menagerie, staff said.

"It seemed like such an innovative solution, and they do all the prep work," said James Pumphrey, SPCA operations manager. "How could we say no?"

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